site.btaNational Health Insurance Fund Could Provide Financial Assistance to Emergency Hospitals - Health Minister

National Health Insurance Fund Could Provide Financial Assistance  to Emergency Hospitals - Health Minister

Varna, on the Black Sea, July 6 (BTA) - In addition to the
Health Ministry, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) could
 provide financial assistance to university, regional or
municipal hospitals which have emergency rooms and provide
services to a large number of people, said here on Monday Health
 Minister Peter Moskov. According to him, a way to achieve this
is to have the NHIF Supervisory Board change the methodology for
 assessment and financing of health care establishments and give
 more funds to those that take on medical emergency cases.

Moskov voiced hope that Parliament will vote the amendments to
the Health Establishments Act. According to him, there are still
 opposing views about the idea for the privatisation of
hospitals, which is why more discussions are needed. According
to the Minister, however, the issue could find itself on the
agenda at this year's end.

Commenting the idea to require nurses to work a few years in
Bulgaria before being able to do so abroad, Moskov said that a
legal analysis is underway to determine if this is possible. It
is clear that Bulgaria produces health care professionals, who
find great career opportunities abroad, while there is a deficit
 in this country, he noted. According to him, if the legal
analysis does not find any contradictions with EU legislation
and directives, such measures are not excluded.

Moskov visited two of the largest hospitals in Varna.